A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Secondly, He must call upon his soul by many powerful and strong persuasions to awake to the work of ⟨p. 396⟩God with liveliness. Arise, O my soul, why sleepest thou, stir up thy self with readiness to obey the charge of God in the duties of his worship, and the works of Mercy and Justice: withstand sin, subdue corruptions, fight manfully against the temptations of Satan, and the allurements of the world: Stick fast unto the testimonies of the Lord, and lay his judgements before thee. For the testimonies of the Lord are wonderful,¹ his judgements good, righteous and very faithful: his word is very pure; and his law is the truth. The service of God is perfect freedom: he walketh at liberty, who runneth on in obedience. As t•y love to the law is, such shall thy life be: nothing is hard to a willing mind. Want of affection to the word of truth, makes the duties commanded to seem irksome and tedious. Love the Commandments above gold, and obedience will be as pleasant as gain to the covetous. Look upon the Saints, who have gone before: they endured imprisonment, loss of liberty, the spoiling of goods, hazard of life with joy, looking unto the eternal and incomprehensible recompense of reward. Thou art not called to suffer, but to obey; at least not to suffer such grievous torments as they did: why doest thou then delay, start aside, or go forth unwillingly? Wouldest thou reign with them, and not labour with them? receive the price, and not run the race? divide the spoil, and not fight the battle? In the affairs of this life we love to excel, and out-go our fellows; as to be first up, and about our work; to exceed in favour, riches, honour, wisdom; and in matters of Religion to be dead and lumpish, is it not abominable? Obedience is no dull service, no dead piece of work, but the way to blessedness and the crown of glory.² The Lord hath not said Seek me in vain. The reward of obedience is certain, though our wo kes deserve nothing. The Merchant undertakes dangerous adventures to raise his estate, enrich ⟨p. 397⟩himself. But what is the gold of India to the joys of Heaven? a fading possession to an eternal weight of glory? strive to enter, and go forward in the strait way that leadeth unto life. Arise, why tarriest thou? forget not the high price of thy calling, but contend forward towards the mark.